BioFuels Journal

Sioux Falls, SD—In honor of National Agriculture Week, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is saying "thank you" to the nation's many farmer-owned ethanol plants for their contribution to the U.S. ethanol industry.

"Farmers were some of the first people to believe in ethanol and to take the risk of building ethanol plants in their local communities," said Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of ACE.

"These farmers had a vision of America growing its own fuel, and their efforts laid the groundwork for ethanol production and use to expand to where it is today."

Though many others have joined the ranks of U.S. ethanol producers over the last decade, farmer-owned plants remain an important part of the industry.

According to research by the coalition, 44 of the approximately 200 operating ethanol plants are farmer-owned, representing 22 percent.

These farmer-owned ethanol plants produce nearly 2.5 billion gallons of ethanol annually, representing nearly 20 percent of the industry's total capacity.

In addition, many other U.S. ethanol plants can be considered "locally owned" because local community members are shareholders in the companies.

"Ethanol has been a success story for rural America and for U.S. agriculture.

"Whether farmer-owned, locally owned, or privately owned, every ethanol plant adds value to the local ag economy and creates good jobs in the community," Jennings said.

"Also, livestock producers benefit by having access to a supply of distillers grain, and motorists benefit by having more homegrown fuel at the pump."

Jennings says America's farmers should be given credit for their efficiency and productivity, citing the fact that farmers today grow 588 percent more corn per acre than they did 80 years ago.

More statistics can be found in "Corn Yields Trending Higher" in the March / April edition of Ethanol Today at www.ethanoltoday.com.

"The corn yields achieved by America's farmers are truly impressive, proving that modern agriculture will have no trouble providing the food, feed, fiber, and fuel that the world needs," Jennings said.

For more information about ethanol, visit www.ethanol.org.

For more information, call 605-334-3381.

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• ACE

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